Complications of Peritoneal Dialysis Part II: Nonmechanical Complications.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a form of KRT that offers flexibility and autonomy to patients with ESKD. It is associated with lower costs compared with hemodialysis in many countries. Unlike mechanical complications that typical arise early in the course of treatment, noninfectious, nonmechanical complications often present late in patients who are established on PD. In this review, we first discuss abnormal-appearing drained dialysate, including hemoperitoneum, chyloperitoneum, and noninfectious cloudy dialysate. The underlying cause is frequently unrelated to PD. We then discuss encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis, a rare complication of PD. Finally, we review metabolic changes associated with PD and methods to mitigate its effects.

Complications of Peritoneal Dialysis Part I: Mechanical Complications.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a form of KRT that offers flexibility and autonomy to patients with ESKD. It is associated with lower costs compared with hemodialysis in many countries. However, it can be associated with unexpected interruptions to or discontinuation of therapy. Timely diagnosis and resolution are required to minimize preventable modality change to hemodialysis. This review covers mechanical complications, including leaks, PD hydrothorax, hernias, dialysate flow problems, PD-related pain, and changes in respiratory mechanics. Most mechanical complications occur early, either as a result of PD catheter insertion or the introduction of dialysate and consequent increased intra-abdominal pressure. Late mechanical complications can also occur and may require different treatment.

Systems Innovations to Increase Home Dialysis Utilization.

Globally, there is an interest to increase home dialysis utilization. The most recent United States Renal Data System (USRDS) data report that 13.3% of incident dialysis patients in the United States are started on home dialysis, while most patients continue to initiate KRT with in-center hemodialysis. To effect meaningful change, a multifaceted innovative approach will be needed to substantially increase the use of home dialysis. Patient and provider education is the first step to enhance home dialysis knowledge awareness. Ideally, one should maximize the number of patients with CKD stage 5 transitioning to home therapies. If this is not possible, infrastructures including transitional dialysis units and community dialysis houses may help patients increase self-care efficacy and eventually transition care to home. From a policy perspective, adopting a home dialysis preference mandate and providing financial support to recuperate increased costs for patients and providers have led to higher uptake in home dialysis. Finally, respite care and planned home-to-home transitions can reduce the incidence of transitioning to in-center hemodialysis. We speculate that an ecosystem of complementary system innovations is needed to cause a sufficient change in patient and provider behavior, which will ultimately modify overall home dialysis utilization.

Detailed analysis of the impact of age on the QT interval.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of age on the ECG QT interval, an important predictor of cardiovascular mortality and drug-induced cardiac arrhythmias, and determine whether QT-heart rate correction formulae (QTc) have differential relationships with age and sex. METHODS: Data were examined from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) II and III, civilian population aged 25 to 90 years. QT weighted means and standard deviations were calculated for all ages. The QTc were evaluated for six QTc: proposed by Bazett (QTcBZT), Fridericia (QTcFRD), Hodges (QTcHDG), Dmitrienko (QTcDMT), Rautaharju (QTcRTHa) and Framingham (QTcFRM). RESULTS: QTc was strongly related to age and gender, for all formulae except for QTcBZT for women. The relationship between QTc and age was significant regardless of whether the relationship was approximated by a linear or non-linear (quadratic or cubic spline) model. QTc increased more dramatically with age in men. There was a significant (P < 0.001) positive relationship between QTc variance and age for each QTc formula for both men and women. There were a greater proportion of individuals with longer QTc with older ages especially age 80 years and above. CONCLUSION: QTc and its variance increase with age. Prolonged QTc is more prevalent in older individuals, especially men.